Concealable body armor system

ABSTRACT

A concealable armor system for protecting a wearer includes a front panel and a back panel. The concealable armor system also includes a pair of side panels that are each removably attached to both the front panel and the back panel. Each side panel includes at least one protection wing that at least partially forms a top edge of the side panel.

FIELD

The field of this disclosure relates generally to a concealable armor vest used to protect the wearer from injury, and more specifically, a concealable armor vest that offers additional protection and an improved fit.

BACKGROUND

Body armor is worn by individuals, such as military personnel, police, security guards, bodyguards or other individuals seeking bodily protection. Such body armor inhibits weapons (e.g., knives), bullets, shrapnel, and other projectile object from piercing and harming the wearer. Thus, a person wearing armor in an armed conflict is provided with some level of safety and has a tactical advantage over those who do not wear such garments because the wearer is shielded from the effects of many types of common weapons, such as small arms fire and piercing wounds.

One known type of body armor system includes a carrier (e.g., a vest, a jacket) designed to carry one or more armor inserts. Such known armor systems are often custom fitted for the wearer at a custom fitting and generally include a front panel and a back panel that each include sides that overlap to cover the sides of the wearer. Should the wearer change in size, the armor may either inadvertently leave certain areas of the body exposed or provide an uncomfortable fit for the wearer. As such, the wearer would need to be fitted for another customized vest at a significant expense. Furthermore, should the wearer no longer require further use of the vest, the vest cannot be used for a subsequent wearer unless the subsequent wearer is exactly the same size and shape as the original wearer.

Another drawback of current armor systems is the inability to comfortably fit and adequately protect a female wearer. At least some known armor system include seams and darts formed in the front armor insert itself that create a curvature to accommodate the bust of a female wearer. However, the additional seams add to the stiffness of the insert and detract from comfort and fit. Furthermore, in known armor systems, a female wearer's bust may cause the front panel of the vest to rest farther out from the wearer's body that designed such that the side of a female wearers bust is typically not covered by the armor insert.

Variation in anatomy among women also prevents a single vest design from uniformly fitting all women wearers. Therefore, known female armor vests require strict sizing requirements that take into account the bust size of the wearer to form a curvature in the armor insert. The additional protective material required to adequately protect a female wearer also adds to the weight of the armor vest. Some known female armor vest include notches that have been incorporated into the ballistic panel to address the problem of accommodating female anatomy and reducing weight. However, the notches also leave certain areas of the body unprotected.

Thus, there remains a need for a modular armor system that allows for changes in size of the wearer and that also enables a subsequent wearer to use at least a portion of a previous wearer's armor system. Furthermore, there remains a need for a female armor system that comfortably fits and adequately protects a female wearer.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an armor system for protecting a wearer includes a front panel and a back panel. The armor system also includes a pair of side panels that are each removably attached to both the front panel and the back panel. Each side panel includes at least one protection wing that at least partially forms a top edge of the side panel.

In another aspect, a carrier for a concealable armor system to be worn by a wearer includes a front panel. The front panel includes at least one patterning mechanism that facilitates the front panel curving a front armor insert to a body shape of the wearer. The carrier further includes a back panel and a pair of side panels that are each removably attached to both the front panel and the back panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of one suitable embodiment of a front panel that may be used with a modular armor system in accordance with this disclosure and as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a back panel that may be used with the modular armor system shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one suitable embodiment of a modular armor system in accordance with this disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side view of another suitable embodiment of a modular armor system as worn by a female wearer illustrating a side panel that includes front and back protection wings.

FIGS. 5-14 are front views of other suitable embodiments of a front panel that may be used with the modular armor system shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate one suitable embodiment of a concealable body armor system, indicated generally at 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the concealable body armor system 100 is a concealable vest of the soft body armor type commonly worn by law enforcement officers for protection in the line of duty. In the illustrated embodiment, the concealable armor system includes a carrier or vest 102 that houses a plurality of armor inserts 104 (shown in hidden lines). The carrier 102 includes a front panel 106 that removably houses a front armor insert 108, a back panel 110 that removably houses a back armor insert 112, and a pair of side panels 114 that each removably house a side armor insert 116. The front panel 106 protects the chest and stomach of the wearer, the back panel 110 protects the back, and the side panels 114 protect the sides of the wearer, as will be discussed in more detail below.

In one embodiment, the concealable armor system 100 includes a pair of shoulder straps 118 that extend between a shoulder portion 120 of the front panel 106 and a shoulder portion 122 of the back panel 110. The straps 118 are configured to attach the front panel 106 to the back panel 110. Furthermore, the armor system also includes a pair of side straps 124 that extend between the front panel 106 and the back panel 110 and are attached to a side panel 114 therebetween. Each side strap 124 includes a node 126, a back strap 128 and a pair of front straps 130. The node 126 is attached to the side panel 114 and the back strap 128 extends from the node to the back panel 110. Similarly, the front straps 130 extend form the node 124 and attach to the front panel 106. The pair of front straps 130 provide the wearer with additional adjustability to secure the concealable armor system 100 such that the panels 106, 110, 114 are held tightly against the wearer's body. As result, each of the front straps 130, which in the illustrated embodiment is bifurcated into two strap members, facilitates curving the front armor insert 108 to the body shape of the wearer. In other words, the bifurcated front straps 130 apply a force to the front panel 106 of the carrier 102 to aid in the front armor insert 108 conforming to the wearer's body during wear.

In one embodiment, each end of the straps 118, 124 include a hook fastener 132 that is attached to a portion 134 of loop material on panels 106, 110, 114. In another suitable embodiment, the straps 118, 124 include buckles or clips that attach to panels 106, 110, 114. Generally, the straps 118, 124 may be any suitable fastening mechanism that is completely removable from the panels 106, 110, 114 and allows the wearer to make minor adjustments for comfort or minor changes in size without sacrificing protective coverage.

Furthermore, because each of the armor inserts 108, 112, 116 are removable from their respected panels 106, 110, 114 of the carrier, the wearer is provided with the choice of how much protection to wear. More specifically, the wearer can remove at least one of the back armor insert 112 and the side armor inserts 116 if he so desires. As such, the wearer can dictate the amount of armor within the carrier as dictated by the threat as perceived by the wearer.

In one embodiment, the concealable armor system 100 is a modular system such that the panels 106, 110, 114 and straps 118, 124 are able to be disconnected from each other into eight separate functioning pieces. As such, the front panel 106 of the concealable armor system 100 is interchangeable with a replacement front panel 106. Similarly, the panels 110, 114 are also interchangeable with replacement panels 110, 114.

In operation, the carrier panels 106, 110, and 114 may need to be replaced due to damage sustained, a change in size of the intended wearer, or reissuance to a different wearer. For example, if only the front panel 106 is damaged for any reason, then only the front panel 106 needs to be replaced instead of replacing the entire system 100. Furthermore, if the intended wearer changes size, that is, gains or loses significant weight, only the side panels 114, for example, need to be replaced with side panels 114 of a different size that reflect the weight change of the wearer. Moreover, if the intended wearer no longer requires the concealable armor system, the concealable armor system 100 may be disassembled such that at least one of its components, that is, panels 106, 110, 114 and straps 118, 124, may be used in the construction of a different armor concealable system 100.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the side panels 114 of the concealable armor system 100 include at least one protection wing. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each side panel 114 includes a front protection wing 136 that forms a portion of a top edge 138 of the side panel 114 proximate the front panel 106. In one preferred embodiment, the front protection wing 136 provides additional protection to the wearer by extending up and covering a portion of the side of the wearer's chest that is left exposed in known armor system. The front protection wing 136 is especially beneficial to female wearers whose bust may cause the front panel 106 to project outward and expose a greater portion of their side and bust than in male wearers. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4, the side panel 114 may also include a back protection wing 140 that forms a portion of the top edge 138 of the side panel 114 proximate the back panel 110. The back protection wing 140 provides additional protection to the wearer by extending up and covering a portion of the side of the wearer's back that is left exposed in known armor system and is advantageous to male and female wearers alike. Although the concealable armor system 100 is shown with the side panel 114 having either only the front protection wing 136 (FIG. 3) or both the front and back protection wings 136, 140 (FIG. 4), it is contemplated that each side panel 114 of the concealable armor system 100 may include only the back protection wing 140 in other suitable embodiments.

In one embodiment, the wings 136, 140 of the side panels 114 extend upward less than 3 inches. That is, the wings 136, 140 have a height H that is less than 3 inches (FIG. 3). In one suitable embodiment, for example, each of the wings 136, 140 has a height H between 0.5 inches and 3 inches and more suitably between 1 inch and 2.5 inches. In one preferably suitable embodiment, the wings 136, 140 have a 2 inch height H. With reference still to FIG. 3, the wings 136, 140 in the illustrated embodiment extend upward, at least in part, at an angle α of approximately 135 degrees. It is contemplated that the wings 136, 140 can extend upward at any suitable angle.

In the preferred embodiment, the front panel 106 is designed such that the front panel 106 conforms the front armor insert 108 to the shape of the wearer's body. More specifically, the front panel 106 includes at least one patterning mechanism 142, such as, but not limited to, a dart and/or a princess seam, that forces the front armor insert 106 to form a curvature 144 around the bust of a female wearer. In the preferred embodiment, the patterning mechanism 142 in the front panel 106 includes at least one dart 146 and/or a princess seam 148 that facilitate curving the front panel 106 of the carrier 102, and therefore, the front armor insert 108, around the curvature 144 of the bust. In another suitable embodiment, patterning mechanisms 142 other than darts and princess seams are used to form the curvature 144. As best shown in FIG. 1, the dart 146 in the illustrated embodiment extends from a side edge 150 of the front panel 106 to a bust point 152 and the princess seam extends from the bust point 152 to a bottom edge 154 of the front panel 106 of the carrier 102. As used herein, the term “dart” is meant to describe a small triangle of fabric which is effectively pinched out in order to turn a flat piece of cloth into a moldable form capable of going around the curvature 144 of the wearer's body. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “bust point” is meant to describe the highest peak of a female's bust.

The darts 146 and seams 148 divide the front panel 106 into a center portion 156 and a pair of opposing side portions 158 that facilitate deforming the substantially flat front armor insert 108 to conform to the curvature 144 of the female wearer's bust. In the preferred embodiment, the center portion 158 is manufactured from a stretchable material and the side portions 158 are manufactured from a non-stretchable material. In another suitable embodiment, the center portion 156 is also manufactured from a non-stretchable material. In a different embodiment, the side portions 158 are manufactured from a stretchable material. Therefore, as the wearer attaches the front side straps 130 to the portions 134 of loop material on the side portions 158, the front panel 106 of the carrier 102 contours the flexible front armor insert 108 therein to substantially match the curvature 144 of the wearer's bust. As such, fewer general sizes are needed for the front panel 106 to provide protection to female wearers of all shapes and sizes rather than taking specific measurements of each of the female wearers and custom manufacturing an armor system according to the individual measurements. More specifically, a basic height and width measurement is all that is required to achieve a properly fitting concealable armor system 100 that is comfortable to the female wearers rather than manufacturing a personalized armor system based on cup size and bust circumference.

FIGS. 5-14 are front views of other suitable embodiments of a front panel that may be used with the concealable armor system 100 (shown in FIG. 1). Each of the front panels in FIGS. 5-14 include portions of loop material, shown as darkened boxes, to which the fasteners 132 of the straps 118, 124 (all shown in FIG. 1) are attachable. Furthermore, each of the front panels in FIGS. 5-14 include at least one patterning mechanism that forces the front armor insert 106 (shown in FIG. 1) to form a curvature 144 (shown in FIG. 4) around the bust of a female wearer.

The concealable armor system described herein is a modular system that includes front, back, and side panels and shoulder straps and side straps that disconnect from each other into eight separate functioning pieces. As such, any of the front, back and side panels of the armor system is interchangeable with a replacement front, back, or side panels in that event that one of the panels is damaged or the size of the wearer has changed. Moreover, if the original wearer no longer requires the armor system, then it may be disassembled such that at least one of its components, that is, any of the front, back, and side panels and shoulder and side straps, may be used in the construction of a different armor system for a subsequent wearer. As such, expensive, customized armor systems are not required every time a wearer changes in size or a new wearer requires an armor system, which provides for a significant decrease in costs of outfitting a wearer with an armor system.

The present disclosure describes an armor system that provides additional protection to the sides of a wearer's back and chest and also using the front panel of the carrier to deform a front armor insert to conform to a shape of the wearer's body. The additional protection is accomplished by forming at least one of front and back protection wings in the side panels of the armor system. The protections wings define a portion of the top edge of the side panel such that they protection wings provide additional protection to the sides of a wearer's back and chest. Such a feature is especially important in female wearers, the side of whose busts may be exposed to danger. The front panel of the carrier includes at least one patterning mechanism, such as a dart and a princess seam that forces the flexible front armor insert within the front panel to deform to substantially match the curvature of the female wearer's bust.

Those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that the armor system is not confined to the specific application as described above (forming an armor insert around a female wearer's bust). Rather, the armor system may be used with a wide variety of applications where it is desirable to deform a substantially flat insert to match the curvature of a wearer's body. For example, according to some aspects, similar techniques may be used to provide armor coverage to a wearer's joints (knees and elbows). In such embodiments, an armor insert is inserted into a carrier worn around the joint such that coverage is provided when the joint is bent and when the joint is straight.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 

1. A concealable armor system for protecting a wearer, the armor system comprising: a front panel; a back panel; and a pair of side panels, each side panel being selectively attachable and detachable to both the front panel and the back panel, wherein each side panel includes a non-linear top edge defining at least one protection wing that projects upward between 0.5 inches and 3 inches relative to the adjacent portion of the top edge of the side panel.
 2. The concealable armor system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one protection wing is located proximate the front panel.
 3. The concealable armor system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one protection wing is located proximate the back panel.
 4. The concealable armor system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one protection wing includes a front protection wing located proximate the front panel and a back protection wing located proximate the back panel.
 5. The concealable armor system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a plurality of removable straps, wherein each strap is configured to attach at least one of the front and back panels, the front and a side panel, and the back and a side panel.
 6. The concealable armor system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the plurality of straps includes a pair of side straps that include a node, a back strap extending from the node, and a pair of front straps extending from the node.
 7. The concealable armor system in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the front panel, back panel, and side panels is replaceable.
 8. The concealable armor system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the non-linear top edge defining the at least one protection wing projects upward between 1 inch and 2.5 inches relative to the adjacent portion of the top edge of the side panel.
 9. The concealable armor system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the front panel is configured to conform a front armor insert to a curvature of the body of the wearer.
 10. The concealable armor system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the front panel includes at least one patterning mechanism adapted to curve a front armor insert around the bust of a female wearer.
 11. The concealable armor system in accordance with claim 10, wherein the at least one patterning mechanism includes at least one of a dart and a princess seam.
 12. The concealable armor system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the front panel includes a center portion and a pair of opposing side portions that, in combination, are configured to conform a front armor insert to a curvature of the body of the wearer.
 13. The concealable armor system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the center portion is formed from a stretchable material and the side portions are formed from a non-stretchable material.
 14. A carrier for an armor system to be worn by a female wearer, the carrier comprising: a front panel including at least one patterning mechanism that facilitates the front panel curving a substantially flat front armor insert during wear, the at least one patterning mechanism being at least one of a dart and a princess seam; a back panel; and a pair of side panels, each side panel being selectively attachable and detachable to both the front panel and the back panel.
 15. The carrier in accordance with claim 14, wherein the at least one patterning mechanism is configured to facilitate the front panel curving the front armor insert around the bust of a female wearer.
 16. The carrier in accordance with claim 14, wherein the at least one patterning mechanism includes at least one of a dart and a princess seam.
 17. The carrier in accordance with claim 14, wherein the front panel includes a center portion and a pair of opposing side portions that, in combination, are configured to conform a front armor insert to a curvature of the body of the wearer.
 18. The carrier in accordance with claim 17, wherein the center portion is formed from a stretchable material and the side portions are formed from a non-stretchable material.
 19. The carrier in accordance with claim 14 further comprising a plurality of removable straps, wherein each strap is configured to attach at least one of the front and back panels, the front and a side panel, and the back and a side panel.
 20. The carrier in accordance with claim 19, wherein the plurality of straps includes a pair of side straps that include a node, a back strap extending from the node, and a pair of front straps extending from the node to facilitate the curving the front armor insert to the body shape of the wearer.
 21. A concealable armor system for protecting a wearer, the armor system comprising: a front panel including a removable front armor insert; a back panel including a removable back armor insert; a pair of side panels, each including a removable side armor insert, wherein each side panel includes a non-linear top edge defining at least one protection wing, and wherein the pair of side panels are selectively attachable and detachable to both the front panel and the back panel; a pair of shoulder straps removably attached to both the front panel and the back panel; and a pair of side straps, each comprising: a node removably attached to one side panel of the pair of side panels; a back strap extending from the node and removably attached to the back panel; and a pair of front straps extending from the node and removably attached to the front panel, each of the front straps being bifurcated into two strap members, each strap member being angled relative to the associated other strap member of the respective pair and removably attached to the front panel to facilitate curving the front armor insert to the wearer's body. 